News

Family loses a loving father

First published
in News
by Sophie Scott, Education Reporter, also covering West Oxford. Call me on (01865) 425437

RELATIVES of a cyclist killed in a crash on Monday say he was a big character and somebody who everyone could lean on.

BMW factory worker Derek Measor, 56, from Chalgrove, died when his bike was involved in a collision with a blue Nissan Micra on Watlington Road, near Garsington, on Monday morning.

A statement released yesterday by his family – wife Jacky, 53, and children NHS worker Darren, 28, and Oxford City Council employee Vicki, 26 – said: “Derek was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and husband.

“He had three main passions in his life – football, cycling and holidays. He never held a grudge and was always somebody who everyone could lean on.”

Derek Measor and his wife Jacky and daughter Vicki at son Darren’s graduation

Mr Measor, who also leaves behind three older brothers and a younger sister, lived in Oxfordshire all of his life. He grew up in Watlington.

He met Jacky – an administrator at Wallingford Community Hospital – at school when he was 16.

The couple had been married for 32 years and had lived in Chalgrove for 29 years.

Mr Measor was an active member of the football scene as a player and manager, including a 15-year stint at Rover Cowley FC in the Oxfordshire Senior League. He was secretary at the club until it folded three years ago.

The Manchester United fan also helped out at Watlington Town FC and Marston Saints. He had spent the current season as assistant manager of the Oxford University Press (OUP) team.

He had been a keen cyclist for more than 30 years and had taken part in a number of cycle rallies, including a charity race from Brighton to Oxford. He cycled on the B480 every day to his job at the BMW MINI plant in Cowley, where he had worked for 32 years as a paint sprayer and then factory worker.

Related links

His family said: “He was a hard-working and quiet man who would do anything for absolutely anyone. He was always fond of the warmer weather and loved to go on holidays for some well-deserved rest, especially in Cyprus. His biggest passion outside of cycling and his family was football. He was a big character and big personality in the football world and was known for his kindness and will to win.”

They added: “Derek was not one for the limelight and would be overwhelmed with all the kind thoughts, words and messages people have shared at this difficult time.

“We are sure he would like to be seen as someone who liked kicking a football around with his left foot, lying on a sunbed or having a cycle.

“He will be sadly missed and forever remembered.”

Chris Fontaine, a former Oxford City striker who worked alongside Mr Measor for 10 years at Rover Cowley FC, said: “He was a great person. He was a football man. He did so much for the football club over the years. He was there week in, week out. He absolutely lived and breathed the sport.

“He was a funny guy, such a character, but a proper family man. His wife and kids were always with him, they would come to matches.”

Dion Hickin, an official at OUP, said the club would hold a minute’s silence for him at their weekend match.

He said: “We will miss him greatly. All the players will be devastated, it is such a shock to everybody.”

First team manager Sean O’Sullivan said: “He was a fantastic bloke, he loved his football and was passionate about it. He will be a massive loss to everyone who knew him and our thoughts go out to his family.”

Marston Saints secretary Tony Wheeler said Mr Measor was manager of the club last season.

He said: “He took over when we were looking for a new manager and kept the team going. We’ve known him in the football circles for many years and it’s very sad.”

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail until April 14.